Reference values of cardiac ventricular structure and function by steady‐state free‐procession MRI at 3.0T in healthy adult chinese volunteers

Purpose To establish normal reference values of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) dimension, volume, mass, and ejection fraction in a Chinese population using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods A total of 120 (60 males; 60 females; 23–83 years) healthy Han Chinese subjects without cardiovascular disease or risk factors were recruited. They underwent comprehensive MRI examination at 3.0T. LV/RV morphology and function were evaluated by steady‐state free‐procession (SSFP) sequence. Parameters were analyzed according to a standard postprocessing protocol. Results Significant differences in LV size, mass, volume, and ejection fraction (EF) between sexes were noted (all P < 0.05). After indexing using body surface area (BSA), LV end‐diastolic volume (EDV), and LV mass index were greater in males than in females (76.5 vs. 68.7 mL/m[2][Pattynama PM, 1993], P < 0.001; 52.9 vs. 45.1 g/m[2][Pattynama PM, 1993], P < 0.001; respectively). LVEF was lower in males than in females (64.6% vs. 67.1%, P = 0.007, respectively). RV volume was higher and RVEF lower in males compared with females (75.3 vs. 62.7 mL/m[2][Pattynama PM, 1993], P < 0.001; 59.9% vs. 62.6%, P  = 0.001, respectively). Age was associated significantly with indices of LV and RV volume in females (left ventricular end‐diastolic volume index: r  = −0.41 P  = 0.001; left ventricular end‐systolic volume index: r  = −0.37 P  = 0.004; left ventricular end‐diastolic volume index: r  = −0.53 P < 0.001; right ventricular end‐systolic volume index: r  = −0.43 P < 0.001), but not in males (all P > 0.05). Conclusion These data suggest that sex and age affect ventricular parameters in healthy Han Chinese subjects without cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Level of Evidence : 2 Technical Efficacy : Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1684–1692